Coin-freed apparatus



May 2, 1933- v. MERIVALE 1,907,359

COIN FREED APPARATUS Filed March 24, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l Fig.1 2 3? 31 32 si] J L M I H May 2, 1933- v. MERIVALE COIN FREED APPARATUS Filed March 24, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 gig 3.

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Patented May 2, 1933 VERE-TON MERVALE,

COIN-FRERE Application filed March 2li, 1931, Serial lo. 5

r construction.

Further obj ects of the present invention are to provide improved coin-freed apparatus for the alternative hire or purchase of an article which it is impossible to operate except in thek manner intended which is free from external protuberances which occupies the minimum of space and which is devoid of delicately adjusted parts such as balance rods and mechanism operated by the weight of the coins inserted with the result that the improved apparatus is particularly suitable for mounting on vehicles such as trains motor road coaches and the like.

In order that the present invention may be more c` early understood and readily carried into effect by those skilled in the art to which it appertains reference may now be had to the accompanying drawings which illustrate by way of example one form of apparatus enibodying the invention.

ln the drawings Fig. l is a front elevational view of the irnproved apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view on the line 2-2 of Fig. l with certain parts omitted;

Fig. 3 is aside elevational view of the apparatus viewed from the right as shown in Fig. l certain parts being shown in cross section;

Fig. l is a front elevational view of Vthe apparatus shown in Fig. 1 with certain Vparts omitted and with part of the front wall of the container or receptacle for the article removed;

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1 g and OF EEDS, ENG-LAND AE'EAP-ATUS i 24,3B3, and in Great Britain March 20, V15330.

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view on the line 6 6 of Fig. 4.

In the drawings there is illustrated an apparatus intended for the alternative sale or hire of an article such as a book the apparatus being adapted for operation by the insertion therein of `four coins, namely three pennies being the fee for thev hire of the article and one Shilling which is a security coin returnable to the hirer upon the return of the article to the apparatus and closure of the article container or receptacle. As shown the'apparatus comprises what may be termed a frame element l which may be formed as an integral or unitary structure and is preferably made of metal. AThis frame elementmay conveniently be divided by partition walls 2 and 3- to provide three compartments the lowermost of which designated generally by the reference numeral 5 is again divided by partitions or walls 6 to provide three additional coinpartments. I v

In the upper compartment 7 there is housed a container or receptacle 8 Vfor an article such as a book whilst the compartment 9 serves to house the working parts of the apparatus. A backing plate (not shown) normally eX- tends over the whole of the rear of the apparatus thereby closing the compartment 9 and at the saine time affording means whereby the apparatus may be secured in any position.` Conveniently the backing plate may be fixed in the position the apparatus is to occupy the frame element being adapted to be detachably attached thereto and to be 95 locked iny position by the means for locking the coin receptacle (hereinafter described) in position. I

As shown the receptacle 8 is pivoted or hinged at 10 to the frame 1 in such wise that when released it is capable of being rocked toa position as indicated in dot and pick lines in Fig. 2 such that the article therewithin may be removed for example through the open end ll. lf desired a ilinger hole or the like 12 may be provided at the lower part of the receptacle 8 to facilitate removal of the article. The receptacle 8 may also be provided with a transparent window or windows 12a to enable a portion of the article to be viewed. In the case of a boolr the title may be observable through the window or Windows.

At the rear of the receptacle 8 there are provided catches 13 forming portions of the locking vdevices which may conveniently be mounted for vertical sliding movement in elements 14 onV the rear wall of the receptacle 8 and are upwardly biased by springs such as shown at 15 also mounted on the rear wall of the receptacle. The catches are adapted normally to project through apertures 16 in the partition wall 2 and engage with an element or elements 17 constituting other portions of the locking devices to hold the receptacle 8 in the closed position as shown in full lines in Fig. 2.

There is also mounted at the rear of the receptacle 8 means designated generally by the reference 18 acting normally to prevent closure of the article container or receptacle 8 but which is adapted to be rendered inoperative by the insertion of the article thereinto to permit closure thereof. Such means may lconveniently comprise a pivoted element 19 having a portion 20 within the receptacle and a portion 21 adapted to enter an aperture 22 in the partition wall 2 as shown when the article is within the receptacle. The element 19 is preferably controlled -by a spring in such wise that when the receptacle 8 is rocked about its pivot 10 and the article removed therefrom the. portion 21 assumes a position as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2.

such that it will not enter the aperture 22 but fouls the partition 2 if an attempt is made to close the receptacle. On the other hand when the article is inserted into the receptacle 8 its lower end contacts with the portion 20 of element 19 and moves it to a position so that the portion 2'1 will enter the aperture 22 thereby allowing the receptacle to be locked in the closed position as shown in full lines in Fig. 2.

For the purpose of guiding the coins necessary for operation of the apparatus coin slots or guides may conveniently be formed on or attached tothe partition 2l and in the case of the particular apparatus shown the partition 2 is shaped or formed to provide slots 23 appropriate in size and number to the coins to be used and guard strips 24 are provided to prevent the coins becoming dislodged from the slots 23. The slots or guides 23 extend from the top of the apparatus where the coins are adapted to be inserted to a coin receptacle 25 in the case of all the coins except the security coin or coins the one or more slots for which communicate with a coin return chamber 26.

Any convenient means may be provided for retaining the security coin in such a position'as to permit of its being returned to,

the exterior of the appartus upon correct yoperation of the apparatus'and as shown this comprises a coin retaining device 27 having a horizontal limb 28 which traverses the security coin slot at a convenient point in its length and is adapted to be operated by opening and closing of the receptacle 8. For this purpose the limb 28 is slotted to an extent to permit passage of the coin when it is in certain positions and the receptacle 8 is provided with means for actuating the device 27. With the receptacle in the position shown in full lines in Fig. 2 the device 27 is retained by the receptacle 8 in such a position that the slot in limb 28 coincides with the security coin slot but it will be appreciated that when the receptacle is moved to the position shown in dot or pick lines by being rocked about its pivot or hinge 10 as previously explained the device 27 follows the movement of the receptacle 8 ither by virtue of its resilient nature or under the action of a springand the slot in the limb 28 is moved out of coincidence with the security coin guide or slot whereby the coin in the slot is retained by the limb 28. However, upon the return'of the article to the receptacle 8 and closure thereof .the device 27 is operated to bring the slot in the limb 28 into coincidence with the coin slot or guide thereby permitting. the coin to fall into the chamber 26.`

The coins required for operation of the apparatus are inserted into the coin slots or guides 23 through suitable slots in th-e upper walll of the frame of the apparatus down whichthey fall under gravity until arrested by the portions 13 ofthe locking' devices which` project across the coin slots when the receptacleV is in the closed position as previously described. The movement of the coins necessary to cause release of the locking devices may conveniently be obtained by act ing upon the coins simultaneously by means of projections 29 formed on or attached to a cover or flap 30 hinged or pivoted to the frame at 31 which projections enter the coin `slots or guides when the cover is closed as shown in Fig. 3 and press downwardly upon the coins thereby moving them to an extent sufficient to cause such downward movement of the portions 13 of the locking devices against the action of their sarings 15 as is necessary kto move them out of engagement with the element 17 thereby releasing the receptacle 8 which turns or rocks about its pivot 10 either under the action of gravity or under the action of a spring to permit access thereto. This turning or rocking movement of the receptacle is assisted in the apparatus shown by reaction between dovvnwardly pressed coins and the inclined eX- tremities Vof* the portions 13 sh wn in the drawings. Upon removal of the portions 13 of the locking devices from the coin slots or guides 23 all the coins except the security coin which is arrested by the device 27 as liu from being moved to uncover the coin slots unless the receptacle 8 is closed and means may also be provided to prevent the receptacle 8 being moved to such a position as to permit access to the article when the cover or "l flap is in the open position thereby preventing operation of the locking devices by means such as a knife or knives the insertion of which in the coin slots will not allow the cover or flap to be closed. The latter means f may take the form of a curved lip 32 resiliently mounted upon the top of the frame 1 and cooperating with a flattened or cut away portion of the hinge pin 30a in such wise that the lip 32 is pressed into a slot or groove 33 formed or provided on the upper edge of the receptacle 8 when the flap is open but springs out of said slet when the cover or flap is closed. In addition the lip may be used to prevent the coin slots being moved when the receptacle S is open by contacting at such time, or

when an attempt is made to uncover the slot-s, with the rear wall of the receptacle or with a projection on lip thereon.

Preferably means such as stops 34 are provided to engage the rear wall of the receptacle 8 to permit opening of the receptacle to an extent just sufficient to permit removal of v the article therefrom and means such as stop 35 may also be provided to prevent undue closing thereof.

To provide a record of the number of times the receptacle 8 is opened a counter 36 of any known constructional form may be provided which is visible through a window 37. The counter may be operated through suitable linkage designated generally by the reference numeral 38 but which does not require to be specifically described.

To facilitate removal of coins from the coin receptacle the base of the frame may be apertured at 39 and the upper side walls of the receptacle 25 itself may be recessed as shown by the dot and pick lines 40 in Fig. l so that as the receptacle is removed by movement to l'lthe rightas shown in Fig. l it may at the same time be given a slight upward tilt thereby causing the coins to be ejected through an aperture il in the corner of the receptacle and through the aperture 39 into a receptacle held beneath the apparatus.

Although in the foregoing there has been described one embodiment of apparatus according to the invention various modifications thereof maybe made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the presa hinged door or flap upon which portions of the. locking devices are mounted closure of the Hap to operate mechanism for returning the security coin being controlled by means operated by the weight of the article to prevent closure of the container without first replacingv the article. In a modified form of apparatus of this character according to the invention the container may have a false bottom upon which the book or the like rests and which may be spring urged to assume a delinite position when the book is removed from the container but which assumes a position such that its edge will enter a slot or behind a projection on the Hap or doorof the container when the book is placed in the compartment. The false bottom may be caused to assume the latter position under the weight of the book or by making the compartment of a height or width substantially the same as that of the book and may be divided into a number of separate elements or lingers as a guard against attempted closing of the container or compartment and unauthorized obtaining of the security coin without replacing the book. H

In close proximity to the container there may be provided a further container or compartment housing the locking devices and preferably also serving as a receptacle forthe coins inserted into the apparatus and the door or fiap is extended to cover. the container or compartment containing the locking devices which container or compartment may conveniently be positioned below ythe container or compartment for the book.

The Hap or door is provided with slots of such a,v size as to pass the coins by which the apparatus is to be operated and a coin holder is mounted upon the face of the door ap in registry with each aperture or slot the holders being notched for engagement with-ratchet catches suitably mounted within the container or compartment for the coinsfor example upon the back wall thereofwhen the door or Hap is closed. In the closed position the holders project through corresponding apertures or slots in the front wall of the last mentioned container or compartment.`

VMounted upon the door or iapin proximity to the apertures or slots for the coins is a hinged cover provided with projections registeringwith the said apertures or slots for pressing the coins thereinto and operating the aforesaid ratchet catches. rIhe cover is also preferably provided with means such that the door or flap can only be opened to permit access to the article when it is in the closed position i. e. flush with the surface of the flap or door. Such means mayl take the form of an element projecting from the front face of the container or compartment for the coins adapted to project through an aperture or slot in the door or Hap when closed and cooperate with the hinge of the cover. 4Preierably the element is provided With a slot of such form that the cover can be moved to open position only when the door or flap is properly closed.

The coins When pressed into the apertures or slots above described by the projections on the cover thrust the ratchet catches out oi engagement with the notches on the coin holders thereby unlocking the iiap or door Which may now be opened to permit removal of the book. If desired means may be provided to prevent the flap or door being opened roughly and to provide additional security. For this purpose a pivoted catch may be provided and so arranged-as by being pivoted slightly to the rear of the surfacev of the front face of the door or flapthat it cannot be depressed to permit full opening of the iiap or door until the door has been opened a short distance.

Upon opening of the door or flap the holders of the coins being a tached to the door or flap are Withdrawn with it andthe coins fall into the bottom of the container or compartment With the exception of one-the security coin-Which only falls to a point just above a delivery slot Where it is held by a finger.

The book can now be removed and by so doing the false bottom rises slightly under the influence of its spring loading thereby moving its edge into al position such that it Will not enter the aforesaid slot or behind the aforesaid projection and consequently the flap or door cannot be closed.

When the book is returned to the container the false bottom is moved to enter the slot or behind the projection on the flap or door and the latter can be closed. When this is done the ratchet catches vre-en, ;age` the notches on the coinvholders and re-lock the fia l iit the same time an inward forked projection on the door or flap co-acts with the 'finger retaining the security coin or with mechanism associated therewith to move the finger to release the coin Which'is returned to the hirer via the delivery slot and the other coins are retained in the apparatus as a charge for the hiring of the book. Preferably the finger or its associated mechanism is bevelled--for example to form-to prevent unauthorized operation and a guard may be placed over the point of the bevel to prevent operation of the coin return mechanism by anything except a forked rod.

What I claim is l. Coin-.freed apparatus for the alternatizf'e sale or hire of article comnrisiua' in ci' a. bination a receptacle for said article nl ralitv of coin slots` a coin receptacle. loin .lnQ' devices portions oi which are associated with said article receptacle and proiect into .said coin slots to arrest coins inserted in said slots as they move therealong `to said coin receptacle, 4a cover hingedly mounted adj acent'said coin slots, projections on said cover adapted When said cover 'is closed to enter said slots and by simultaneous engagement With coins therein to cause said coins to release said lockingdevices and permit opening oi' said article receptacle and removal of the article theretrom,L and mechanism for returning at least one oi-said coins to the exterior of the apparatus upon the return of the article to said receptacle and closure thereof.

2. Coin-freed apparatus as claimed in claim l comprising cooperative means on said cover and said article receptacle to prevent the cover being moved to permit access to said coin slots When said article receptacle is open.

3. Coin-treed apparatus as claimed in claim l comprising cooperative means on said cover and said article receptacle tok prevent opening of said article receptacle when the cover is in a position to permit insertion of coins in said coin slots.

Coin-freed apparatus as claimed in claim i 4comprising a resilient lip on the frame of the apparatus adjacent said article receptacle and means on said cover for cooperation with said lip substantially as and for the purposes speciiied.

Coin-freed apparatus for the alternative sale or hire of an article comprising i combination, a hingen receptacle tor said article7 a plurality ci coin slots, a coin receptacle communicating with at least one of said coin slots, catches on said article receptacle formingl part of locking 'devices therefor and Which. in the closed position of said article receptacle project into said coin slots, a cover hinged to said apparatus adjacent the entrance to said coin slots, projections on said cover adapted to enter said coin slots when said cover is in one position and cause coins therein to acu simultaneously on said catches to release said article receptacle and permit withdrawal ci' the article contained therein, a movable device projecting into one of said cein slots and operating upon opening movement of said article receptacle to retain one of said coins in a predetermined position, said device beingr 'further operated upon closure n le receptacle to release the coin pre etained and permit its return to the e ior oit the apparatus.

5. C 11i-treed aparatus as claimed in claim i con.prising cooperative means on said cover and said article eptacle to prevent the n slots when said article receptacle is open. Coin-freed apparatus as claimed in frame of the apparatus adjacent said article receptacle and means on said cover for cooperation With said lip substantially as and for the purposes specified.

9. A coin-freed apparatus as claimed in claim 5 including an aperture on the frame and a spring biased elementmounted upon said article receptacle and having a portion adapted to enter said aperture When an article of the correct dimensions is positioned in said article receptacle and thereby permit closure of said article receptacle, said element being moved under its bias to prevent said portion entering said aperture and consequently to prevent closure of said article receptacle When no article is contained therein or When said article receptacle contains an article of incorrect dimensions.

10. Goin-freed apparatus for the alternative sale or hire of an article comprising in combination, a horizontally hinged receptacle for said article, a plurality of slots for coins fixed on lthe trame of said apparatus, a coin receptacle communicating with at least one of said coin slots, locking devices including a resilient portion on said article receptacle and a cooperating element associated With each said coin slot, a coverhinged to said apparatus adjacent the entrance to said coin slots, projections on said cover adapted in one position of said cover t0 enter said coin slots and act simultaneously and directly on coins Whose movement along said slots to said coin receptacle is normally retarded by the resilient portions of said locking devices to cause said coins to unlock said locking devices and permit opening of said article receptacle by movement about its hinge, and a coin retaining device Which upon opening of said article receptacle arrests one of said coins in a predetermined position, said last mentioned coin being released for movement to the exterior of the apparatus upon closure of said article receptacle.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

VERNON MERIVALE. 

